Letters to America

Wednesday, November 19th, 1941

Darling Joan,

The twins birthday present arrived safely yesterday and there was much excitement and joy. I held their hand while they wrote their little letter, but they printed their own names and made the kisses all by themselves. John doesn’t write his too badly, does he? Considering they haven’t yet started school. And Anne is getting better.

The sweets are lovely – the post man brought them about 11 o’clock a.m. and after dinner we all had one to celebrate, and I am giving the twins one in the morning and another in the afternoon and perhaps an occasional one. They will last quite a long time that way. We call them “Joan’s Sweets”.

We had a very nice letter from you and Auntie Mary this morning – we do love to see your letters lying on the mat. I am sorry you are having such cold weather dear – you don’t like it very much, do you? – but you will get the sunshine and nice warm weather before we do. It was a nasty foggy morning today and very damp.

I expect you all gave Uncle Carl a good welcome when he got back from Tennessee. I have a nice snapshot of him with Teddy and Mickey(1). I am so glad you had such a nice time at Barbara Herman’s party. I should like to have seen you dressed as a Scotch girl – the bright colours would suit your fair hair.

We had a letter from Uncle John today and he expects to have another leave very soon and will visit us then. Last Saturday Daddy took Anne and John around the Common(2) on their bicycles in the afternoon while Nanny and I went to Pinner. There is a very old shop there and they sell fancy goods and knick-knacks(3) that we don’t see in many shops, I bought some little flowers made of cloth that you pin on dresses or coats and am sending them to Beryl and Hazel for Xmas. They are getting big girls now and toys are not suitable, even if we could get them(4). In the evening Daddy and I went to Mrs. Kemp’s for a change as Nanny stayed home with the children. On Monday I found some coloured paperchains in Hodges and bought the twins a packet each. They have made chains and they are hanging around the sitting room. It is very early, but it gave them something to do when it was raining and they enjoyed it.

Well, sweetheart, keep happy and well. Auntie Mary tells me you go marketing with her – I know you like that. Everyone sends their love. Give my love to Teddy and Sandy.

Lots of love and kisses from
Mummy
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  1. Mickey was a dog (red setter).
  2. Common land is land which everyone is allowed to use.
  3. Knick-knacks are small objects which people keep as ornaments or toys, rather than for a particular use.
  4. Most factories were used to manufacture weapons for the war, so there were shortages of almost everything, including children's toys.